Community News: Ongoing October 23, 2010

Artists Sought for 17th Annual Pigeon Key Fest
December 1, 2010 is the deadline for submitting all applications from which artists will soon be chosen for the Pigeon Key Art Festival to be held February 11-13, 2011 at the Marathon Community Park, MM 49.

This traditional fine art show has been rated among the top 200 shows in the nation by Sunshine Artist Publications. It is tropical in theme and limited to the following categories for submission: watercolor, acrylic, oil, graphics, drawings, pastels, photography, sculpture, glass, pottery, jewelry and fine craft. Entry fee for the show is $185 per booth plus $15 jury fee.

Applications may be obtained by calling Swankey Events at (305) 396-7076 or email your home address to: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

All proceeds go to the Pigeon Key Foundation which is a nonprofit organization engaged in the restoration and preservation of the historic railroad island in the middle of the Old Seven Mile Bride Southwest of Marathon, and in the development of education programs and marine research.

Marathon Calling Vendors for City Celebration
The City of Marathon is looking for vendors who wish to have a booth at the City’s Celebration to be held at Marathon Community Park on Saturday, November 20, 2010. “This one-day event is going to be a huge party,” said Event Committee Chair and Mayor Ginger Snead, “and it’s the perfect place for vendors to show and sell their wares, and for our local non-profits to raise awareness and maybe some money, too.”

There are three categories (and entry fees) for vendor participation: Not-For-Profit at $25.00; For Profit (local/Marathon-based) at $50.00; and For Profit at $75.00. Space is limited and is available on a first come/first serve basis. Application deadline is November 5, 2010.

For more information, and an application, contact Charlotte Quinn; e-mail her at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or visit the City of Marathon website at www.ci.marathon.fl.us.

Overeaters Anonymous
Overeaters Anonymous meetings will be held Mondays from 7-8 pm at Fishermen’s Hospital.

OA is not just about weight loss, weight gain or maintenance, obesity or diets. The OA program offers physical, emotional and spiritual recovery for those who suffer from compulsive eating. Members find recovery on all three levels by following a Twelve-Step program patterned after Alcoholics Anonymous.

For more information, call Wanda at (301) 490-0562.

Friday, October 22
Green Industries-Best Management Practices Workshop
Florida Senate Bill 494 states that all commercial fertilizer applicators must have a license from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) by January 1, 2014.

An upcoming Green Industries-Best Management Practices (GI-BMP) workshop is designed to provide training for anyone working in the lawn, landscape, pest control, or municipal grounds areas.

The free GI-BMP workshop will be held on Friday, October 22, 2010, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Marathon Government Center, EOC Meeting Room, 2798 Overseas Highway, MM 47.5, Gulfside, Marathon.

To pre-register, send an e-mail to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 305-292-4504. For more information, visit the Web site at monroe.ifas.ufl.edu.

Saturday, October 23
Full Moon Kayak of No Name Key
Join Friends And Volunteers of Refuges (FAVOR) on the only charity kayak event on the islands. Capt. Bill Keogh, a noted local guide and photographer, and his crew at Big Pine Kayak Adventures have donated a sunset/moonrise scenic paddle through the sponge flats, grass beds and mangrove forests of the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge. The two-hour trip will cost $25 per person and all proceeds will be used for outreach, education and volunteer projects on behalf of the four Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges. It’s the perfect way to explore and enjoy nature while directly benefiting it.

The full moon trip is only offered once a month, so sign up now. To reserve your seat for this wonderful sunset / moonrise excursion, call 872-7474. The trip will depart from the Old Wooden Bridge Fishing Camp near the No Name Key Bridge at 6pm on Saturday, Oct 23rd. Bring your own flashlight. For more info visit www.FAVORfloridakeys.com.

Sunday, October 24
Animal Farm Open; Closed Next Month
The Sheriff’s Animal Farm will be open next on Sunday, Oct. 24, between 1-3 pm. Bring the family and come visit the animals at the farm, including horses, a cow, pigs, goats, bunnies, alligators, tropical birds, a Kinkajou, a family of Sloths, an Emu, a family of Patagonian Cavys, tortoises and turtles, snakes and many more. It is free of charge (donations are welcome).

The farm is located just off of College Road, on Stock Island, at the Sheriff’s Office Headquarters complex. Groups may schedule special tours at the farm by calling Farmer Jeanne Selander at 305-293-7300.

Due to the upcoming holidays, the farm will be closed for the month of November, and during the month of December, we will be open to the public only one Sunday. The farm will host its annual “Christmas on the Farm” event on December 12th from 1 pm to 3 pm. Mark your calendars and join us!

Monday, October 25
Middle Keys Band Concert
The Marathon Middle and Marathon High School band program proudly presents “Images of Fall: A Fall Performance featuring Middle School Concert Band and High School Concert Band on Monday, Oct. 25 beginning at 7 pm. This event, free and open to the public, will be held in the MHS Performing Arts Center. Donations welcomed.

Wednesday, October 27
Busy Month Concludes at Parks and Rec
The last week of October promises fun programs for adults and children. Wednesday night, October 27, Adult Advanced Beginner Tennis, a six-session class, is from 7:30-8:30 pm. With the cooler weather and avid tennis player Adrian Rivera as coach, this FREE tennis program for ages 21 and older promises to be a lot of fun at Community Park courts. Bring your racquet and come on out. Registration is at the courts. Thursday night, October 28, there will be world-class Jazz at the Amphitheater, compliments of the Army’s Jazz Ambassador’s Band. The show, which is FREE, starts at 7 pm. Types of music in the program include big band swing, Latin, bebop, jazz, popular tunes, Dixieland and patriotic selections. Bring your lawn chair or a blanket and enjoy the show. On Friday night, October 29, Friday Night Kickball games for ages 6-11, a six-week program, starts at the Community Park baseball fields. Also a FREE program, this offers pick-up games from week to week and the game runs from 7-8 pm. Then, on Saturday morning, October 30, Halloween Arts and Crafts will take place at the main pavilion in Community Park from 9-11 am. Cost is $5 to cover materials. For questions on these or other programs, call 305-743-6598.

Saturday, November 6
Show Some Love for KAIR
The Sombrero Country Club is hosting the “Play for KAIR” tennis tournament on Nov. 6 and 7. There will be men’s, women’s and mixed doubles, and all participants will be guaranteed a minimum of two matches. There are prizes for winners and runner-ups and gift bags for all participants. Cost is $30 and a can of food for the KAIR food pantry. All proceeds benefit KAIR which provides food and emergency assistance to local families in need.

Contact Richard Lorenzo, Sombrero Country Club tennis pro at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 305-3743-2551 for more information.

Tuesday, November 9
Marathon Garden Club Hosting Bonsai Workshop
The Marathon Garden Club is offering a workshop on the “Bosai” on Tuesday, Nov. 9 from 9 am – 3 pm. Guest presenter, Herve Thoma,s has been studying the art of Bonsai since 1985. Enrollment is limited; pre-registration and payment are required.

The Club will be hosting a Fall Festival on Saturday, Nov. 27 from 9 am – 4 pm. Featured items will include a variety of tropical plants from the garden club’s own nursery, delicious homemade baked goods, educational booths, raffle items, local artisans, jewelry, pottery, stained glass, crafts, food, music and activities for children! Vendor space is still available for this event. Contact Linnea Cunningham at (305) 743-2008.

The garden club is located at 5270 Overseas Highway (MM50 Bayside) in Marathon. For additional information call (305) 743-4971 or visit our website at www.marathongardenclub.org.

Thursday, Nov. 11
Red Cross-Trained Babysitters Prepared for Emergencies
One of the most important traits parents look for in babysitters is someone who is safe and responsible and knows what to do if things go wrong. Red Cross-trained babysitters know what to do in any situation.

Designed for 11 to 15 year olds, the Babysitter’s Plus Training course can help teens care for children and infants, be a good leader and role model, make good decisions and solve problems, keep the children they baby-sit and themselves safe, and handle emergencies such as injuries, illnesses and household accidents. It’s useful, pertinent information that will benefit anyone who works with infants and toddlers. Certification in First Aid is included.

The next class in Key West is Nov. 11, which is a school holiday. Fee is $78 and the class is from 8:30 am – 6 pm at the American Red Cross. Call 296-4033 to register.

Saturday, Nov. 13
Fall Craft Fair at Fishermen’s
The Employees Club at Fishermen’s Hospital gives back to the employees at the hospital, while also participating in Marathon community events. In fact, the club’s motto is “Friends Helping Friends.” One of their upcoming events in November is the Second Annual Fall Craft Fair, which will be held on Saturday, Nov. 13 from 8 am – 4 pm. There will be a wide variety of vendors with everything from hand-crafted jewelry to stained glass, orchids, hand painted items and much more.

If you are interested in being a vendor, please contact Yesenia Ramirez at 289-6420, or Pat Bosch at 289-6401 for details.

Thursday, November 4
BPW Thanks for Giving Bash
Join the Marathon Business and Professional Women’s Club on Thursday, Nov. 4 beginning at 6 pm at the Marathon Yacht Club for a night of celebration to thank the community they love so much.

Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to join in on the fun. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be provided as well as a cash bar for $15 per person.